Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...
Loading...

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All Bulgaria Pernik Surva Carnival at Pernik

Surva Carnival at Pernik

Founded in the 4th-century, the town of Pernik plays host to the Surva Carnival⁠—a magnificent display of masked Kukeri dancers.

Pernik, Bulgaria

Added By
Jason
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
CAPTION
Kukeri during the Surva festival in 2023   SwapnilArjun
Kukeri during the Surva festival in 2023   Sjordanov / CC BY-SA 4.0
Surva Carnival.   Klearchos Kapoutsis
Surva Carnival.   Klearchos Kapoutsis
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

The  International Festival of Masquerade Games, also known as Surva, is an annual event where dancers called Kukeri adorn colorful masks, traditional dress, and scary costumes. The event has its roots in traditions practiced by the Thracians who once inhabited the area.

Meant to drive out evil spirits and encourage a good harvest, the fearsome Kukeri dancers can actually be seen in villages across Bulgaria. However, to witness the largest of example these dancers, Pernik is the place to go.

Related Tags

Religion Masks Tradition Carnival Festivals

Know Before You Go

The town of Pernik sits just over 18 miles south of Sofia. The town contains ancient ruins and a plethora of museums. However, the best time to visit is in January during the Surva Carnival.

Community Contributors

Added By

Jason S

Edited By

Michelle Cassidy

  • Michelle Cassidy

Published

July 3, 2019

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.andrey-andreev.com/
  • https://bulgariaphototour.com
  • http://www.en.surva.org/
  • http://bulgariatravel.org/article/details/129#map=6/42.779/23.763
Surva Carnival at Pernik
Pernik, 2306
Bulgaria
42.605186, 23.037837

Nearby Places

Underground Mining Museum

Pernik, Bulgaria

miles away

Bankya Residence

Bankya, Bulgaria

miles away

Water of Life Spring

Pernik, Bulgaria

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Pernik

Pernik

Bulgaria

Places 2

Nearby Places

Underground Mining Museum

Pernik, Bulgaria

miles away

Bankya Residence

Bankya, Bulgaria

miles away

Water of Life Spring

Pernik, Bulgaria

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of Pernik

Pernik

Bulgaria

Places 2

Related Places

  • The wash tag at the beginning of Da-Bach-na-Fahrt.

    Schramberg, Germany

    Da-Bach-na-Fahrt (Journey Down the Stream)

    Whimsical wash tubs row down the stream as part of this Carnival celebration.

  • Statues drying in storage.

    Kolkata, India

    Mud Statues of Kumortuli

    The potters' quarter is packed with artists sculpting clay gods with mud from the sacred Ganges river.

  • Display of masks made from various materials

    Bragança, Portugal

    O Museu Ibérico da Máscara e do Traje (Iberian Museum of Masks and Costumes)

    A collection of unique, and sometimes terrifying, handmade masks and costumes used for local festivals.

  • Nontron, France

    Soufflaculs de Nontron

    This pair of statues commemorates a once-widespread carnival tradition of blowing on each other’s butts with bellows.

  • La Sardina Encallada

    Murcia, Spain

    'La Sardina Encallada' ('The Stranded Sardine')

    This enormous sardine in the Segura River pays tribute to an annual post-Lent tradition.

  • Kulasekharapatnam, India

    Arulmigu Kulasai Mutharamman Temple

    Every year, massive crowds flock to this 300-year-old temple to celebrate a unique, goddess-centric Hindu festival.

  • During the festival, those dressed as devils dance more intensely as they enter Píllaro.

    Píllaro, Ecuador

    Casa El Pacto

    The devil masks on display at this small museum are part of an annual festival that has been taking place for centuries.

  • A traditional Burundian drum ceremony.

    Gishora, Burundi

    Gishora Drum Sanctuary

    This century-old site established by King Mwezi Gisabo preserves the art of Burundi's ancient drum rituals.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.